Rotary pump or compressor



H. R. RICARDO.

` ROTARY PUMP 0R COMPRESSOR.\

APPLICATION FILED IIIAII. 2, 1921.

11 l 2,99 l Patented Aplu M, 192,2.

2 SHEE fS-SHEET I.

H. R. RICARDO.

yROTARY PUMP 0R COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAII. 2. 1921.

Paten@ Apr. 11, 1922.

lAIQl.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m, mi y ma.

HARRY RALPH RICARDO, OF LONDON',A ENGLAND.

' Ronny PUMP on conrPREssoa. v

To all 'whom it may concer/rt.'

Be it known that I, HARRY RALPH RI'- cARDo, .a vsubject of the King ofEngland, and residing at London, in England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Rotary Pumps or Compressors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary pumps or compressors of the typecomprising a series of cylinders disposed radially with respect to acentre about which they can be rotated these cylinders containingpistons at the end of each of which is a roller adapted to run on acircular track mounted so as to be rotatable but eccentric to the axisabout which the cylinders rotate, the cylinders having inlet and outletports controlled by corresponding ports formed in a fixed spindle ortrunnion about which the cylindersrotate..

In pumps or compressors of this type as previously known andconstructed, there lis liable to be a difficulty in effectingsatisfactory lubrication if such a pump is used for the purpose ofoperating'on certain gases though these may be of a nature which willnot attack iron and steel. The object of the present invention is toimprove the constructio`n of such pumps so as not only ,to vercome thedifficulty of lubrication if the pumps are usediwith gases of the typeindi cated, but also to enable a pump to be constructed which will havea high volumetric efficiency and low mechanical losses.

According to this invention the rotor which carries the cylinders ismounted in balll or roller bearings which are disposed on or adjacent tothe fixed trunnion or spindle about which the rotor turns in such a waythat .the bore or interior of the rotor is not in ycontact with theexterior of the trunnion, a Huid-tight jolnt being formed between theseparts by means of ra liquid film or a labyrinth packing. A ballnonreturn valve is disposed in the trunnion near the port through whichthe fiuidon" which the pump operates is delivered from the cylindersintol the delivery passage which is formed longitudinally in the trun`nion and by this .arrangement clearance losses are kept small. By thisconstruction a single automatic delivery valve fitted in a Specificationof Letters Patent. Patented Apr 11, 19220 Application led March 2.

1921. Serial No. 449,166.

longitudinal passage which. extends into the trunnion to a pointadjacent to the valve. The heat which flows into the trunnion as aresult of .the compression of the Huid on which the pump operates isremoved to a considerable extent as this fluid passes through the portat a high velocity and high pressure so. that it parts readily with itsheat and heat is thus prevented from flowing along the trunnion so as tocause thinning ofthe liquid packing film contained between the rotor andthe trunnion. j

The invention may be carried out in practice in various ways but theaccompanying drawings illustrate by way of example a construction thatmay be adopted. In these v drawings Figure l'is a sectional elevation ofthe 1 improved pump the section being taken in the plane of the axis ofthe fixed trunnion and driving shaft.

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 in Figure 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

'Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings. A trunniondiameter is fixed to and projects into one side of an outer casing whichis conveniently formed in two parts B and B adapted to contain the pump.From theouter end of .the trunnion and extending longitudinally throughit for a substantial part of its length is a passage from Whose innerend leads radially a passage C which terminates in a delivery port C2through which the fluid can pass from the cylinders into the passage C.Near the inner end of thev longitudinal passage C is a coned seat D onwhich rests a ball D constituting a nonreturn valve the ball being heldon its seat by a coiled spring D,2 one end of which bears on the ballwhile the other end abuts against a shoulder formed near the end 'of arod E. The outer end E of this .rod constitutes a plug which closes theend of the passage C the rod itself Iextending along the passage whichatthis part conveniently has a greater diameter than the extreme innerend beyond the seating D for the ball valve. The extreme inner end E2 ofthe rod E constitutes A having a suitable length and a stop againstwhich the ball D will stri-ke when lifted. From the outer end of thepasf vsage C aradial opening leads to a delivery pipe F and in thisopening is a coned seatF for @hall valve F2, This constitutes a sec-londnon-return valve in the delivery branch or passage. The passage Cis'conveniently positioned out of the axial centre of the trunnion A.y Asecond passage G runs parallel to the passage C longitudinally into thetrunnion A from its outer end and extends beyond the end of the passageC to a point adjacent to the inner end of the trunnion. Concentricallydisposed within the passage G is a tube G whose inner end which is openis preferably suitably supported and lies ne'ar the inner end of thepassage while the outer end of the tube extends through a plug G2 whichcloses the end ofthe passage G the plug G2 constituting a pipe union.Water is introduced into the end of the tube G and flows thence to theend of the passage G returning outwardly along this passage to a lateraloutlet G3 which terminates in a pipe union.

An inlet port H is formed in the periphery of the trunnion A nearer tothe inner end of the latter than the delivery port C2 these ports beingsuitably disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion. The port Hcommunicates through a short radial passage with the inner end of alongitudinal passage Il" which extends into -the trunnion from the innerend thereof. In the .construction shown this passage H while beingparallel with the axis of the trunnion A is eccentrically disposed withrelation thereto and the end of the passage opens out into a ballbearing J on the end of the trunnion A. In some cases the passage H maybe centrally disposed in the trunnion A butv the arrangement illustratedpermits the water passage G to be Carried further towards the inner endof the trunnion than if the intake passage H is disposed on or near theaxis of the trunnion. In this way the metal of the trunnion may becooled substantially throughout its length.

`The rotor is carried on the trunnion A by the ball bearing J and by aball bearing J disposed on the trunnion near the inner side of thecasing' part B which carriesv the trunnion. The rotor comprises a sleeveK on v which are carried a' series of radially arranged cylinders Lwhich, as shown in the drawing, are conveniently three in number. Thesecylinders are formed on a cylindrical member L having a flange L2 nearone end which extends between the cylinders and supports them. Thisflange L2 is bolted to a flange K at one end of the sleeve K the flangeK having a -lateral rib K2 which is supported on the ball bearing Jwhile the other end of the vsleeve K is carried by the ball bearing J.If desired radiating fins or ribs may be provided which extendpreferably in the 'circumferential direction around the rotor over thecylinders L and the flange L2. The sleeve K fits on to the trunnion Abut is not actually in contact with it7` a fluidtight joint between theparts/being formed by means of a liquid film or labyrinth packing.

The sleeve K constitutes the inner ends of the cylinders L and in thissleeve at the end of each cylinder there are formed two ports K3 K4. Theport K3 serves as the delivery port and is positioned so as to registerwith the delivery portY C2 in the trunnion A as the rotorlturns on thetrunnion. The port K4 constitutes the inlet port and is positioned so asto register with the port I-I in the trunnion. By employing thisconstruction for the cylinders the bores thereof can be machined Irightthrough so as to facilitate manufacture while the formation of the inletand delivery'ports is simplified. In each cylinder is a piston M ofsuitable construction which carries at its outer end a roller M whichlies in 'Contact with a circular track N. This track is cylindrical andis carried by a two-part casing member N N2 the inwardly curved orflanged end portions of which rest on ball bearings O and O disposedbetween the member N N2 and the adjacent sides of the outer casing B B.

These ball bearings O O and the axis of the track N are eccentric withrespect to the axis of the fixed trunnion A. The track N can thus rotateabout an axis which is not coincident with the axis aboutJ which therotor K L rotates. The rollers M which are interposed between thepistons M and the track N are maintained in Contact with the track bythe action of centrifugal force on the pistonsas the rotor rotates onthe fixed trunnion Openings suitably shaped and disposed may be formedthrough the track-carrying member N N2 so as to permit of the inflow ofthe fluid on 'which the pump operates or as in the constructionillustrated the fiuid may pass into the member or casing N N2 throughthe ball bearings O O. The fluid enters the outer casing B B through oneor more suitably disposed openings such as B2to which the fluid is ledby piping.

The rotor K L may be rotated in various ways but conveniently the innerend of the sleeve K is'castellate'd as at K5 or formed with projectionswhich extend beyond and around the inner end of the trunnion A. disc Por the like having a periphery which is toothed or otherwise formed toengage the castellations A5 on the end of the sleeve K is mounted on theinner end of a spindle P' which is rotatably carried in the side mem.-ber B of the outer casing. The spindle P is co-axial with the fixedtrunnion A and is mounted in suitable bearings. On its outer end thespindle P carries a pulley or is otherwise constructed as may be desiredso that power can be imparted to it. A stuffing box is convenientlyarranged where the spindle passes through the side of the casing B.

As the spindle P is turned the rotor K L is caused to rotate on thefixed trunnion A and the pistons M which move outwardlyv .ber N N2 whichcarries the floating track ports H in the trunnion and K? in the end ofthe cylinder when these ports register as the cylinders rotate on thetrunnion. The fluid is compressed as each piston is moved inwardly bythe action of the eccentric track N and when the cylinder delivery portsK3 register in turn with the delivery port C2 in the trunnion the fluidwill travel pastthe non-return valve D into the delivery passage C andthence past the second nonreturn valve F2 into the delivery pipe F.

When the ports K3 K4 and C2 H are not registering they are sealedrespectively by the liquid film or labyrinth packing between the sleeve-K and the trunnion A. The sealing liquid between these parts may be thelubricant employed to lubricate the interior.

of the pump.

The details of construction may be modified to suit requirements and thepurpose for which the rotary pump o-r compressor is to be used. Thenumber of cylinders may vary as also the manner in which they aredisposed on the member or members constituting the. rotor. The floatingtrack N which acts on the pistons may be constructed and arranged invarious ways and the formation of the pistons and the rollers M or likemembers interposed between the pistons and the track N may be modifiedas Jfound desirable. Various forms of coupling other than that moreparticularly described above may be used between the inner end of therotor K L and. the adjacent end of the spindle P through which power isapplied to the rotor.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of' a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, inlet and delivery passagesextending longitudinally through the trunnion and communicatingrespectively with the inlet and delivery ports, a non-return valve inthe delivery passage, a

rotor which is rotatably mounted on the trunnion and comprises aplurality of radially disposed cylindersfcontaining pistons, inlet anddelivery ports in the heads of these cylinders adapted to register withthe ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a. floating ring memberrotatably carried in bearings eccentric to the trunnion and the rotorthe inner face of this ring member being operative on the pistons in thecylinders, an outer casing enclosing the'ring member and the rotor andhaving an inlet thereto, and means for rotating the rotor on t-hetrunnion as set forth. r

, 2. In a rotary pump or compressor the4 combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively with the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve in the delivery passage, a. rotor which is rotatablymounted on the trunnion'and comprises a plurality of radially' disposedcylinders containing pistons, inlet and delivery ports in the heads ofthese cylinders adapted to register with the ports in the trunnion asthe rotor rotates, a floating ring member rotatablycarried inbearingseccentric to the trunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ringmember being operative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casingenclosing the ring member and the rotor and having' an inlet thereto,and means for rotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.v

8. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a. single delivery passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively with the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve positioned in `the delivery passage adjacent to thatend which communicates'with the delivery port, a. rotor which isrotatably mounted on the trunnion and comprises a plurality4 of radiallydisposed cylinders containing pistons, inlet and delivery ports in theheads the ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates,

a floating ring member rotatably carried in bearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ring member beingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casing enclosing thering member and the rotor and having an inlet thereto, and means forrotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

4. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a delivery passage and an inletpassage in the trunnion the delivery passage extending longitudinallythrough the trunnion, from the delivery port with which it communicatestowards the fixed end of the trunnion and the inlet passage extendingfrom the port with which it communicates longitudinally `through thetrunnion in the opposite direc- 5. In a rotary pump or compressor the.

combination ofa fixed trunnion having inlet and delivery ports therein,inlet and delivery passages extending longitudinally through thetrunnion and communicating respectively with the inlet and deliveryports, A

a non-return valve in the delivery passage, means for circulating Waterthrough the trunnion, a rotor Which is rotatably mounted on the trunnionand comprises a plurality of radiallyv disposed cylinders containingpistons, inlet and delivery ports in the heads of these cylindersadapted to register with the ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates,a ioating ring member rotatably carried in lbearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ring member beingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casing enclosing thering member and the rotor and having an inlet thereto, and meansforrotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

6. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, inlet and delivery passagesextending longitudinally through the trunnion and communicatingrespectively with the inlet and delivery ports, a nonreturn valve in thedelivery passage, a rotor rotatably carried by ball bearings t on thetrunnion the rotor comprisinga plurality of radially disposed cylinderscontaining pistons, inlet and delivery ports in the heads of thesecylinders adapted to register with the portsin the trunnion as the rotorrotates, a liquid film between the interior of the rotor and the'exterior of the trunnion the film forming a seal for the ports in theseparts, a floating ring member rotatably carried in bearings eccentric tothe bearings and the rotor the inner face of this ring member ibeingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casing enclosing thering member and the rotor and having an inlet thereto, and means forrotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

7 In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single .delivery passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively with the delivery on a sleeve member whichconstitutes the heads of the `cylinders, inlet and delivery ports inthesleeve member at the inner ends of' cylinders these ports being'adaptedto register with the ports in the trunnion as theifg'rotor rotates, afloating ring lmember rotatably carriedin bearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ring member beingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casing enclosing thering member and the rotor and having an `inlet thereto, and means forrotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

8. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet passage in the trunnion the delivery passage extendinglongitudinally through the trunnion from the delivery port with which itcommunicates towards the fixed end of the trunnion andthe inlet passageextending from the port with which it communicates longitudinallythrough the trunnion in the opposite direction to the delivery passage,a non-return valve positioned in the delivery passage adjacent to thatend which communicates with the delivery port, a rotor which isrotatably 'mounted on the trunnion and comprises a plurality of radiallydisposed cylinders containing pistons, inlet and delivery ports in theheads of these cylinders adapted to register With the ports in thetrunnion as the rotor rotates, a floating ring member rotatably carriedin bearings eccentric to the trunnion and the rotor the inner face ofthis ring member being operative on the pistons in the cylinders, anouter casing enclosing the ring member and the rotor and having an inletthereto, and means for rotatingthe rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

9. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet1 passage extending lon gitudinally vthrough the trunnion andcommunicating respectively Wlth the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve inthe detrunnion as the rotor rotates, a floating ringmember rotatably carried in bearings. c ccen-` tric to .the trunnion andthe rotor the lnner face of this ring member being operati/ve ingenclosing the ring member and the rotor and having aniinlet thereto, andmeans for rotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth. A

l0. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet .and delivery ports therein, a single delivery' passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively With the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve positioned in the delivery passage ,adjacent to thatend which communicates With the delivery port, means for circulatingWater through the trunnion, a rotor which is rotatably mounted on thetrunnion and comprises .a plurality of radially disposed cylinderscontaining pistons, inlet and delivery ports in the heads of thesecylinders adapted to register With the ports in the trunnion p as therotor rotates, a ioating ring member rotatably carried in bearingseccentric to the trunnion andthe rotor the inner'face of this ringmember being operative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casingenclosing the ring member and the rotor and having an inlet thereto, andmeans for rotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

11. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet land delivery ports therein, a delivery passage and aninlet passage in the trunnion the delivery passage extending longitudifnally through the trunnion from the delivery port with which itcommunicates to- Wards the fixed endof the trunnion and the inletpassage extending from the port with Which it communicateslongitudinally through the trunnion in the opposite direction to thedelivery passage, a non-return valve in the delivery passage, means forcirculatin Water through the trunnion, a rotor Whlch is rotatablymounted on the trunf .les

nio and comprises .a plurality of radially disposed cylinders containingpistons, inlet and delivery ports in the heads of these cylindersadapted toregister with the ports 1n the trunnion as the rotor rotates,a floating ring member rotatablyvcarried in bearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ring member being operative on the'pistons in the cylinders, an outer casing enclosing the ringmember and the rotor and having an inlet thereto, and means for rotatingthe 'rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

12. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet passage 'extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively with the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve positioned 'in the delivery passage adjacent to thatend which communicates with the delivery port, a rotor rotatably carriedby ball bearings on the trunnion the rotor comprising a plurallty ofradially disposedcylinders containing pistons, inlet .and deliveryports" in the heads of'these cylinders adapted to register withytheports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a liquid film between theinterior of the rotor and-the exterior ofthe trunnion the rotor theinner face of this ring member being operative on the pistons lin thecylinders, an Outer casing enclosing the ring member and the rotor andhaving aninlet thereto, and means for rotating the rotor yon thetrunnion as set forth.

13. In a rotary pumpor compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through the trunnion andcommunicating respectively with the delivery and inlet ports, anon-return valve positioned in the delivery passage adjacent to that endwhich communicates With the delivery port, means for circulating Waterried by ball bearings on the tr nnion the rotor comprising a pluralityof radially disposed cylinders containing pistons, inlet and" deliveryports in the heads ofthese cylinders adapted to register with the portsin the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a liquid film between the interiorof the rotor and the exterior of the trunnion the film forming a sealfor the ports in'these parts, a 'fioatirg ring member rotatably carriedin bearings eccentric to the bearings and the rotor the inner face ofthis ring member being operative onthe pistons in the cylinders, anouter casing enclosing the ring member and the YYrotor and having-aninlet thereto, and means for rotating the rotor. on the trunnion as setforth.

14. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, a single delivery passage andan inlet passage extending longitudinally through thel trunnion andVcommunicating respectively with the delivsitioned inthe delivery passageadjacent to llU very and inlet ports, a non-return valve poi liveryport, va rotor- Which is rotatably mounted on the trunnion and comprisesa plurality of radially disposed cylinders-containing pistons thecylinders being mounted on a sleeve member which constitutes the headsof the cylinders, inlet and delivery ports in the sleeve member at theinner ends of the cylinders these ports being adapted to register withthe ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a floating ring memberrespectively with the inlet and delivery ports, a non-return valve inthe delivery passage, means for7 circulating water through the trunnion,a roto-r which is vrotatably mounted on the trunnion and comprises aplurality of radially disposed cylinders con` taining pistons thecylinders being mounted on a sleevel member which constitutes the headsof the cylinders, inlet and delivery ports in the sleeve member at theinner ends of the cylinders these ports being adapted to register withthe ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a floating ring memberrotatably carried in bearings eccentric to the trunnion and the rotorthe inner face of this ring member being operative on the pistons in thecylinders, an outer casing en-I closing the ring member' and the rotorand having an inlet thereto, and means for rotating the rotor on thetrunnion as setforth.

16. In a rotary pump or compressor the combination of a fixed trunnionhaving inlet and delivery ports therein, inlet and delivery passagesextending through the trunnion and communicating respectively with theinlet and delivery ports, a non-return valve in the delivery passage, arotor rotatably carried by ball bearings on the trunnion the. rotorcomprising a plurality of radially disposed cylinders containing pistonsthe cylinders being mounted on a sleevevmember which constitutes theheads of the cylinders, inlet and delivery ports in the sleeve member atthe inner ends ofthe cylinders these ports being adapted to registerwith lthe ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, aliquid filmlongitudinally' between the interior of the rotor and the exterior ofthe trunnion the film forming a seal for the ports in these parts, afloating ring member rotatably carried in bearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the rotor the inner face of this ring member beingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an

outer casing enclosingthe ring member and with which it communicatestowards the fixed end of the trunnion and the inlet passage extendingfrom the port with which it communicates longitudinally through thetrunnion in the opposite direction to the delivery passage, a non-returnvalve in the delivery passage, means for circulating water through thetrunnion, a rotor rotatably carried by ball bearings on the trunnion therotor comprising a plurality of radially disposed cylinders containingpistons the cylinders being mounted on asleeve member which 'constitutesthe heads of the cylinders, inlet and delivery ports in the sleevemember at the inner ends of the cylinders these ports being adapted toregister with the ports in the trunnion as the rotor rotates, a

liquid film between the interior of the rotor and the exterior o-f thetrunnion the film forming a seal for the ports in these parts, afloating ring member rotatably carried in bearings eccentric to thetrunnion and the 'rotor the.inner face of this ring memberbeingoperative on the pistons in the cylinders, an outer casingenclosing the ring member and the rotor and *having an inlet thereto,and means 'for rotating the rotor on the trunnion as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

